CBCP to businessmen: Stick to papal themes

MANILA, Philippines - The Papal visit 2015 central committee of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has welcomed the pulling out of the "no race, no religion" statement shirt of a TV network giant, ABS-CBN.

 

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Social Communication and Mass Media (ECSCMM) executive secretary Father Lito Jopson said he hopes the merchandise and souvenir items to be sold during the visit of Pope Francis to focus on the themes of mercy and compassion. 

 

"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ngalan ng Simbahang Katolika sa ginawa ng ABS-CBN. Hangarin talaga ng Simbahan na itaguyod ang tema ng pagmamahal at malasakit sa pagbisita ng Santo Papa. Sana mag-focus tayo sa mga mensahe kung papaano natin mas palawakin ang pagpapakita ng habag at malasakit sa kapwa," the prelate told the Church-run Radyo Veritas.

 

CBCP-ECSCMM chair, Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, meanwhile, reminded all those who want to sell collectors and souvenir items during the papal visit to print statements and logos that convey the message of love and compassion. 

 

"Sinasabi po natin na napakahalaga na makita natin na ang isyung ito ay isang oportunidad para lalong maipaliwanag kung ano ang ini-imprinta at captions sa T-shirts. Huwag po sana tayo basta mag-imprinta. Dapat iyong ating ini-imprinta ay nakakapagpahayag ng mabuting balita at hindi umaalis sa konteksto ng pangaral ng Santo Papa.

 

"These are all merchandise, all that the CBCP wants and also ang Papal Committee, we know that will be the logos and the pictures will be used and to be used for the right reasons not the wrong ones," Bishop Vergara said.